Two-button two-stage switch



June 30, 1970 E. G. GAYNOR TWO-BUTTON TWO-STAGE SWITCH;

Filed Jan. 13, 1969 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 .j 60 o j] l 4 0 f 1 l i 6U'lmi,... f "um-H. w67 q 1 z5 JZ Z5* 66a/ j JZ/"5 66 :,43-

igj, lfzzr, 11g-j 69 Z50, '2:40 *u T mmf 697 Ilm/5 Mfg Z5@ 7] J4 K 619@da 67 45a" y 76' 60 f6@ 69@ Z7 zo 3,518,381 TWO-BUTTON TWO-STAGE SWITCHEdwin G. Gaynor, Southport, Conn., assignor to Edwin S. Gaynor,Southport, Conn. Filed Jan. 13, 1969, Ser. No. 790,563 Int. Cl. H01h9/26 U.S. Cl. 200- 10 Claims ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE A switch forcontrolling energization and de-energzation of a plurality of electricdischarge lamps and operable upon a single activation of one of aplurality of manual control members first momentarily to close a givencircuit and thereafter to complete closure thereof. This comprises acompact assembly including terminals of a plurality of circuitssupported by opposing frames and controlled by manually operable membersfor opening and closing those circuits, one of said members beingoperative upon continuing activation thereof rst momentarily to connectterminals closing a given circuit and then to complete closure thereofwhich is maintained by detent means associated with said one member andsaid frames, until opened by activation of another of said members.

Generally of the character of the disclosure of Gaynor Pat. No.3,221,112 of Nov. 30, 1965 and application Ser. No. 759,444, led Sept.12, 1968, my present invention differs therefrom in important respectsincluding the provision of novel means for opening, closing, andmaintaining the circuits. The simplicity, efficiency, compactness andfacility of assembly and operation of the structure together with otheradvantages will appear as the description proceeds.

In the drawings:

FIG. 1 is a side elevation of a switch assembly ernbodying my invention;

FIG. 2 is a top plan view of the assembly of FIG. l;

FIG. 3 is a bottom View of a housing in the assembly of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a section along the line 4--4 of FIG. 2;

FIG. 5 is a section along the line 5 5 of FIG. 2;

FIG. 6 is a section along the line 6 6 of FIG. 2;

FIG. 7 is a side elevation partially broken away of the housing shown inFIG. 3;

FIG. 8 is an end elevation of that housing;

FIG. 9 is a side elevation of a frame included in the assembly of FIG.1;

FIG. 10 is an end elevation of that frame;

FIG. 11 is an opposite side elevation of the same frame;

FIG. 12 is a side elevation of a teeter included in the assembly of FIG.1;

FIG. 13 is an end elevation of that teeter;

FIG. 14 is a side elevation of a first manual component of theinvention;

FIG. 15 is an end elevation of that component;

FIG. 16 is a bottom plan view of a portion of the component of FIG. 14;

FIG. 17 is a side elevation of a second manual component of theinvention;

FIG. 18 is an end elevation of the latter component;

FIG. 19 is an enlarged perspective view of a terminal for the switch;

FIG. 20 is an enlarged perspective view of a bezel for the switch;

FIG. 21 is an enlarged exploded perspective view of the first manualcomponent;

FIG. 22 is an enlarged exploded perspective view of the second manualcomponent;

lUnited States Patent O c ICC FIG. 23 is an enlarged explodedperspective view of the switch assembly.

Referring to the dra-wings, a switch assembly 11 embodying my invention,and illustrating its application to a circuitry including two electricdischarge lamps, comprises a generally rectangular housing 12 open onone side (the top as shown in FIGS. 1, 7) and 'having a plurality ofopenings 13 in its opposite side 14 (bottom FIGS. l, 7) connected withconduits 15 and arranged in selected spaced relation for supporting leadwires 15a, 15b, to the lamps and a power source.

Housing 12 has transverse outwardly extending ledges 16 along the edgesof its end Walls. Generally rectangular inwardly projecting enlargements18 of walls 17 are arranged to provide guideways 19 for receiving andsupporting identical terminal supporting frames 20, 21 (FIGS. 9, 10, l1)in opposing spaced relation along opposite sides 12a. interiorly ofhousing 12. Upwardly projecting portions of the frames function asspacers 20a, 21a in a manner to be noted.

Outer corresponding faces 20h, 2lb of the frames, which are arranged toabut adjacent side walls 12a of the housing, have spaced cutaways 22 forseating spring clip portions 23a, 24a, 25a of opposing identicalterminals 23, Z4, 25 supported in like manner on the two frames. In thearrangement shown opposed terminals 23v when connected provide a circuitfor energizing one lamp; opposed terminals 24, another lamp; and opposedterminals 25, both lamps. Slots 26 in frames 20 are arranged in selectedspaced relation to enable operative contact of terminals 23, 24, 25 withcorresponding circuit closing elements to be described.

Inner opposing faces 20c, 21C of frames 20, 21 have embossed nodes 27arranged to cooperate with another component of the assembly as willappear.

Bores 28 in frames 20, 21 are disposed coaxially and arranged toreceive, in journalledl relation, end portions 30a of pin 30 upon whichteeter 31 is fixed lfor relative rotation (oscillation) about the commonaxis. Enlarged hub portions 30b of pins 30 limit thrust axially thereof.

Frames 20, 21, with terminals 23, 24, 25 seated therein in operativeopposed relation and teeter 31 suspended therebetween for relativerotation, are inserted in housing 12 by sliding the vertical endportions thereof along guideways 19 to a point where their lower edges20d, 21d abut the inner surface of the housing bottom and their upperedges 20e, 21e are flush with the upper end portions 18a of enlargements18 of walls 17. In practice, the two sets of identical terminals lwillbe arranged, as shown here, wtih those connected with the power line onone frame and those connected wth lamps on the other frame incorresponding array after a legend provided on the housing. Accordinglyfor brevity the terminals on one frame will be called line treminals;those on the other, lamp terminals.

Teeter 31, which comprises arms 31a and 31h, is conformed and arranged(FIGS. 2, `4, 12, 13) to cooperate with other components of the assemblyas a linkage, so to speak, to effect changes in circuitry. This isaccomplished by means of a manually operable control mechanism 35including a pair of push buttons.

Button 40 .(FIGS. 1, 2, 14, 15, 16) is generally rectangular in formwith outward narrow anges 41 extending longitudinally thereof alongopposite sides (FIGS. 14, 15, 16) and a generally retcangular cutaway 42extending medianly of the underside thereof. Undercut lateral extensions43 of cutway 42 are provided to receive complementary anges 44 of plug45 pressed therein in locking countersunk relation.

Plug 45 has a rectangular projection 46 arranged for operativeengagement -with a corresponding portion of 3 arm 31a of teeter 31. Plug45 is arranged to secure generally inverted-U shape, tong-like springbrushes 47 with expanded (bulging) arms 47a, in operative position inrelation to button 40.

Coil springs 48 are seated in bores `49l provided in button 40 in spacedrelation and operative to bias said button when in operative setting insaid assembly to open switch position for a purpose to be noted.

Button 50 (FIGS. 17, 18), generally rectangular in form and similar instructure to button 40, but preferably of contrasting color and as shownsmaller dimension longitudinally, supports on brush 51 comparable withbrushes 47 and a brush 52 of smiliar form but smaller dimensions and fora different purpose; plug 53 having a projection 53u similar toprojection 46, and flanges 54 receivable in undercut extensions 55 ofcutaway 56 upon being pressed therein as in the case of button 4t).Flanges 5f7 of button 50 are similar to lianges 41.

Buttons 40 and 50 and the parts associated with them are conformed anddisposed for cooperative relation with frames 20, 21 and the partsassociated with them, including terminals 23, 24, 25 and teeter 31 incompact arrangement in housing 12. Spacers a, 21a support buttons 40, 50in predetermined spaced relation with one another.

It will be understood that the brushes associated with buttons 40, 50and the terminals 23, 24 and 25 and their spring clip portions are madeof suitable conductive material. In the embodiment illustrated, frames20, 21 are insulative (Bakelite); bezel 60 and supports, metallic; andhousing 12 and other components of the assembly, insulative (nylon).Other materials consistent with good engineering practice may be used.

When buttons 40, 50 with their associated parts are positioned asillustrated in FIGS. 1, 2, they are maintained in operative relation bya bezel structure 60 (see FIG. 20) This comprises a generallyrectangular frame 61 having rectangular openings 62, 63 for receivingbuttons 40, 50 respectively n freely slidable relation but conformed forengagement with flanges 41, 57, respectively, to limit relative movementof the buttons. Depending, longitudinally extending flanges 64 arearranged for engagement with the outer srufaces of the upper rimportions of adjacent sidewalls 12a of the housing. Transverse flangesl65 depending somewhat below flanges 64, are arranged to overhang andabut the outer extremities of ledges 16, and have slots 66 for receivingcorresponding tongues 67 of angulated supports 68, the bases 69 of whichhave openings 69a to accommodate means for securing the assembly to alamp frame or other desired object (not shown). The buttons, the bezel,and associated parts, are conformed and arranged in relation to thehousing structure so as to provide a closure therefor and an over-allcompact, efficient unitary two-stage switch assembly. In commercialpractice, to avoid undesired disassembly prior to installation, flanges65 are crimped sufficiently to hold the parts together.

The arrangement is such that upon assembly of the parts (FIG. 2), frames20, 21 with terminals 23, 24, 25 being in place and teeter 31 supportedtherebetween for relative rotation, the outer extremities of springs 48of button 40 rest on frames 20, 21, brushes 47 straddle, and projection46 of plug 45 overlies, arm 31a of the teeter; the brushes 47 beingaligned with but removed from terminals 23, 24; brush 51 is aligned withbut removed from terminals brush 52 is aligned with but removed fromnodes 27 of frames 20, 21; and projection 53a overlies arm 31h of theteeter; all compactly held in operative relation by bezel structure 60.

Terminals 23, 24, 25 and their respective spring clipy portions areconformed and arranged for spring clip action operative to engage andretain lead wires 15a, 15b, introduced through conduits 15 whereby toprovide circuitry under switch control, effectuated in this manner:

Control mechanism through button 40 operates to energize the two lampsof the present embodiment momentarily only and in separate circuits.Upon depressing button 40, springs 48 yield, the outer surfaces of arms47a of brushes 47 contact opposing terminals 23 and 24 thereby closingcircuits through and energizing the lamps. Simultaneously, in the eventthat button 50 shall previously have been operated to complete andmaintain a circuit including brush 51 and terminals 25, teeter 31 willrock under pressure applied to arm 31a through plug projection 46causing arm 31b to act upon plug 53, thrusting button 50` upward andremoving lbrush 51 from contact with terminals 2S thereby opening thepreviously established circuit. Downward movement of button 40 and theparts carried by it is limited by the upper surface of frames 20.

The circuits established by depressing button 40` are momentary, lastingonly while the button is under pressure as springs 48 operate to restorethe button and the brushes associated therewith to switch-open positionirnmediately upon being released.

Control mechanism 35 through button 50 operates somewhat differently toenergize the two lamps in one circuit in two stages, iirst momentarilyand then upon continuing activation of button 50 to establish thecondition. To this end brushes 51 and 52 are respectively conformed andarranged in relation to terminals 25 and nodes 27 so that upondepressing button 50 a predetermined extent the forward ends 52b of arms52a of brush I52 encounter nodes 27 thereby to resist further downwardmovement of the button and of brush 51, arms 51a of which are conformedand arranged initially to contact terminals 25 at this point and closethe circuit through both lamps. The closure, however, would be unstableand upon release of the button, a circuit would be Opened due to recoilof the spring character of the brush. Upon continued activation ofbutton 50, however, to a point overcoming the resistance imposed by theencounter of brush 52 with nodes 27, when arms 52a yield (contract)until the expanded portions 52C thereof pass below nodes 27, at whichtime they resume their expanded position. Then upon cessation ofpressure on button 50, arms 52a of brush 52 and nodes 27 will serve as adetent locking control mechanism in circuit closing position subject tointerruption in normal course only upon operation of button 40 in themanner previously stated. As in the case of button 40 downward movementof button 5()` and the parts associated therewith is limited by theupper surface of frames 20, 21.

The foregoing description is intended not to limit the scope of myinvention but rather to illustrate it. Application of it to a variety ofarrangements of many lamps and substitute parts without departing fromthe spirit of the invention will be readily understood. The terminologyemployed is meant to be informative rather than restrictive and to beinterpreted accordingly.

I claim:

1. A switch assembly comprising:

(a) a housing,

(tb) circuitry including:

(1) a plurality of line terminals, supported in predetermined spacedrelation with one another in said housing, and

(2) a plurality of lamp terminals respectively supported thereinopposing spaced relation with said line terminals,

(c) a button control mechanism comprising a first button and a secondbutton and means operative upon activation of said rst button initiallyto connect momentarily one of said line terminals and the opposing lampterminal and thereafter to complete and maintain the connectiontherebetween, and upon activation of said second button simultaneouslyto break that connection and momentarily connect others of said lineterminals and said lamp ter= minals respectively opposing one another.

2. A switch assembly as defined in claim 1 in which the terminals aresupported on opposing insulative frames extending longitudinally of saidhousing interiorly thereof in parallel spaced relation with one another,said terminals comprising a generally rectilinear portion and a springclip portion, said frames having:

(a) cutaways on one face thereof for receiving the spring clip portionsof said terminals in nesting relation for operative engagement with leadwires and (b) communicating slots enabling projection of the rectilinearportions of said terminals therethrough for interconnection withcorresponding portions of opposing terminals.

3. A switch assembly as defined in claim 2 in which the terminalsupporting frames are slidably supported in guideways provided inopposing walls of the housing to limit movement of the buttons in onedirection.

4. A switch assembly as defined in claim 2 in which the housing isprovided with conduits to receive said lead Wires corresponding with theterminals and the cutaways of the frames to receive said lead wires incooperative relation with the terminals.

5. A switch assembly as defined in claim 2 in which the terminalsupporting frames have means on one face thereof cooperative with meanson said first button when the latter is activated in one direction tobrake momentarily the progress thereof and upon continued activationthereof in the same direction then to hold said first button inoperative position.

6. A switch assembly as dened in claim 1 in which the control mechanismcomprises (a) first and second push buttons, said first buttonsupporting (b) a spring contact brush and (c) a spring detent member,said brush and said detent member having spaced arms,

(d) said first button and the parts associated therewith being conformedand arranged to operate in relation to certain of said terminals wherebyupon activation of said first button from initial open switch positionthe arms of said brush respectively progress to a point of engagementwith corresponding terminals thereby closing a circuit therebetween andsimultaneously the arms of said detent member encounter complementarymeans in said housing thereby to brake the activation of said firstbutton and the progress of the brush momentarily pending yielding by thearms of the detent member to the activation of said first buttonwhereupon the arms of the detent member and the complementary detentmeans cooperate to hold said first button and the brush in circuitclosing position in relation to said corresponding terminals,

(e) said second button supporting a plurality of spring contact brusheshaving arms in spaced relation with one another and conformed andarranged respectively to operate in relation to certain others of saidterminals whereby upon activation of said second button from initialopen switch position the arms of said latter brushes respectivelyprogress to a point of engagement with corresponding opposing terminalsthereby closing a circuit therebetween,

(f) said second button having means associated therewith simultaneouslyengageable witih means operative to engage means associated with saidfirst button whereby to activate the latter and remove the brushassociated therewith from circuit closing position,

(g) said second button having spring means operative upon deactivationthereof to remove the same to open switch position.

7. A switch assembly as defined in claim 6 wherein the control mechanismcomprises a rocker pivotally mounted within said housing for oscillationin a plane intermedately of said opposing terminals, said rocker havingone arm engageable with means on said first button and an oppositelyextending arm engageable with means on said second button, the partsbeing operatively conformed and arranged whereby activation of saidsecond button, when said first button is held in circuit closingposition, causes said rocker to oscillate so as to remove said firstbutton from circuit closing position thereby opening the circuit.

8. A switch assembly as defined in claim 6 in which the complementarydetent means comprise opposing nodes respectively arranged on the innerface of terminal supporting frames mounted in said housing incooperative relation witih spring means on said first button to brakeactivation of the latter pending yielding of the spring means andthereafter to hold said button and said first mentioned spring Contactbrush in circuit closing position.

9. A switch assembly as defined in claim 1 in which the components ofsaid assembly are secured in operative relation in said housing by meansincluding a closure frame defining a bezel with supports thereforcornprising a base and an upright member, said closure frame comprisingmeans supporting said buttons of said control mechanism in operativerelation in said housing.

10. A switch assembly comprising (a) ahousing,

(b) circuitry including (l) a plurality of line terminals, supported inpredetermined spaced relation with one another in said housing, and

(2) a plurality of lamp terminals respectively supported therein inopposing spaced relation with said line terminals,

(c) a button control mechanism operative upon activation of a firstbutton initially to connect momentraily one of said line terminals andthe opposing lamp terminal and thereafter to complete and maintain theconnection therebetween, and upon activation of a second buttonsimultaneously to break that connection and momentarily connect othersof said line terminals and said lamp terminals respectively opposing oneanother,

(d) supports for said terminals comprising insulatve frames extendinglongitudinally of said housing interiorly thereof and in parallel spacedrelation with one another,

said terminals having a generally rectilinear portion and a spring clipportion,

said frames having (l) cutaways on one face thereof for receiving thespring clip portions in nesting relation for operative engagement withlead wires, and

slots communicating therewith for supporting the rectilinear portionsrespectively for cooperative connection with corresponding portions ofopposing ter-minals,

(e) said control mechanism comprising (1) a first button and (2) asecond button,

said first button supporting a spring contact brush and a spring detentmember, each having spaced arms, and said first button and the partssupported thereby being conformed and arranged to operate in relation tocertain of said terminals whereby upon activation of said first buttonfrom initial open switch position the arms of said brush respectivelyprogress in two stages, first to a point of engagement withcorresponding terminals thereby closing a circuit therebetween andsimultaneously the arms of said detent member encounter complementarymeans on opposing faces of said frames thereby resiliently to brake nalsthereby closing a circuit therebetween, the progress of said rst buttonand the (f) linkage means operative simultaneously upon said contactbrush supported thereby momenactivation of said second button to removesaid tarily pending yielding by the arms of said first button and thecontact brush associated theredetent member whereupon said detent 5witih from circuit closing position, and

fmember and said complementary means co- (g) spring means carried bysaid second button and operate to hold said contact brush in circuitoperative upon deactivation thereof to restore said closing engagementwith said corresponding second button to open circuit position.

terminals,

said second button supporting a plurality 10 References Cited of springcontact brushes having arms in UNITED STATES PATENTS spaced relationwith one another and con 3,221,112 12/1965 Gaynor 200 5 formed andarranged respectively to operate in relation to certain others of saidterminals whereby upon activation of said 15 ROBERT K SCHAEFER PrlmaryExammer second button from initial open switch M. GINSBURG, AssistantExaminer position the arms of said latter brushes respectively progressto a point of engage- U.S. Cl. X.R.

ment with corresponding opposing termi- 200-50

